What legal rights does a pedestrian have if they are hit by a car?

Just like other kinds of accidents, a pedestrian accident falls into the category of personal injury law. Therefore, when a pedestrian is injured due to another person’s negligence, he or she has a legal right to make a claim. Some of the damages that are often awarded in such cases include:

• Lost wages for time spent away from work to recover from injuries
• Medical bills
• Any future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Modification to the person’s vehicle or home if they are left permanently disabled

If the at-fault driver acted egregiously, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a pedestrian accident lawyer might be able to sue for punitive damages, which are further damages over and above the cost of the accident and are designed to punish the driver and stop any similar conduct in the future.